And here is my updated version of the 1969 card, with Ernie in action
1969 was going to be a banner year for Ernie Banks. He was going to hit his 500th career home run (he needed 26 and had hit 32 in 1968) and he was going to lead the Cubs to the post-season.
Poor Ernie...he was 0 for 2; no 500th home run, no post-season. In fact, Ernie played in more games without a postseason appearance than any other player in baseball history. Sad, but true.
His 1969 card is nice enough looking, except it is the same photo that Topps used the year before. Even future hall of famers get the repeat treatment from Topps.
Ernie played in 155 games in 1969 which isn't too bad for a 38 year old with bad knees. This was his last full season as a player. He got the season off with a bang as he hit two home runs on opening day. He ended the year with 23 and he knocked in 106 runs. The stats say that Ernie did all he could to help the team win. But he slowed down considerably in September. He hit only two home runs and had 14 RBI's for the month. Age may have caught up with him when the team needed him most.
But we still love Ernie anyway.
even without any post-season play the two-time MVP was always smiling !
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